Announcement/Events

Submitted by: Haydyn Hudnall, hhudnall@uca.edu on 07/31/2025

Spend a semester with the Wild Rockies Field Institute! The Wild Rockies Field Institute (WRFI) is a unique higher education campus that offers field-based, environmentally-focused, expedition style academic courses in the American Rockies. WRFI programs bring together rural communities, Indigenous guest speakers, academic readings, expert instructors, incredible landscapes, and curious students in a transformational experience. Each day, groups spend three to six hours engaged in academic learning, whether that is an instructor lecture, small-group discussion, sharing of written work, debate, or guest lecture (or some combination of these!); the remainder of the day is spent traveling through the landscape. Most of the time, this is through human-powered movement, backpacking, paddling, or cycling. Because WRFI programs are interdisciplinary and focused on the liberal arts, students come from all different academic and personal backgrounds and bring their own lenses and expertise to class discussions. WRFI is Academic–In Nature!

https://nse.org/exchange/campus-profile/1908/

Submitted by: Lyn Gayfield, egayfield@uca.edu on 08/05/2025

Disaster Action Team Volunteer Training

Want to help your local community by responding to disasters like home fires, floods or tornadoes?

Saturday, August 9, 2025
Little Rock
-9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
-2610 S. Shackleford Suite B
-Little Rock, AR 72205

Jonesboro
-9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
-2416 S. Madison Street
– Jonesboro, AR 72401

To register or for more info, email:
jim.powell6@redcross.org
temirra.jones@redcross.org

 

Submitted by: Lyn Gayfield, egayfield@uca.edu on 07/30/2025

Back2School Events with the American Red Cross

Health Fair
Sunday, August 3, 2025
New Hope Baptist Church
1232 Watkins Street
Conway, AR 72034
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Cookout
Friday, August 8, 2025
City of Hope Outreach
608 E Robins St
Conway, AR 72032
3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Volunteers will:
Hand out disaster preparedness materials
Run Disaster preparedness activities for child participants
Connect with community members

No UCA transportation will be provided

Contact Stephen Edwards for registration information at stephen.edwards@volunteer.redcross.org

https://uca.campuslabs.com/engage/actioncenter/organization/bear-boots-on-the-ground/events/calendar/details/11379841

Submitted by: Haydyn Hudnall, hhudnall@uca.edu on 07/29/2025

The Office of Education Abroad is proud to highlight Alex Smith, a recent graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, who has been awarded the Wendel Wickland Student Achievement Award—a prestigious honor granted by the National Student Exchange (NSE) headquarters.

This award is highly competitive, with approximately 1,300 students participating in the NSE program each year. Alex is the first UCA student to receive this recognition, marking a significant milestone for both him and the university.

During his final semester at UCA, Alex participated in the National Student Exchange program, where he completed 13 credit hours at the University of Alaska Southeast as part of his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. His time in the program was marked by strong academic performance and meaningful engagement, particularly through his participation in the Alaska Aquaculture Semester in Fall 2024. It was these experiences, made possible by the NSE program, that led to his selection for the Wendel Wickland Student Achievement Award.

Through the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), the Alaska Aquaculture Semester is a distinctive study away program that combines fieldwork and classroom learning in Sitka, Alaska. The small cohort size of approximately 12 students per semester fosters a collaborative and interactive learning environment that includes undergraduate students, master’s students, and professionals in the tourism industry in order to create a diverse mix of experiences and perspectives. During the duration of the program, students gain a deeper understanding of Alaska’s aquaculture industry while working directly with UAS faculty and local industry partners. Students gain insights into the history and policies surrounding Alaskan aquaculture, while also acquiring practical skills such as skiff handling and small engine maintenance.
During Alex’s semester, he completed the “Introduction to Aquaculture” course that explored Alaska’s fishing industries, including daily field trips to local hatcheries and other experiential learning environments.

Additionally, he completed 240 internship hours—far exceeding the program’s requirement of 100 hours. One particularly memorable internship opportunity included working at a remote hatchery at Deer Lake. During this time, UAS covered travel expenses for Alex and connected him with industry professionals that ultimately offered him a full-time position after graduation.

The program also placed emphasis on practical skills, such as the “Outboard Motor Course,” which required students to build and test outboard motors as part of a hands-on project. To further enhance his professional credentials, Alex graduated with two certifications: an Alaska boating safety certification and an Alaska aquaculture occupational endorsement certification.

Alex’s time in Sitka led to several professional connections that have already influenced his career trajectory. By the end of the program, Alex had secured a job at the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA), an accomplishment that underscores the effectiveness of the program in facilitating career development. In fact, Alex noted that by the end of the semester, every student had an employment opportunity lined up.

In reflecting on his time in Alaska, Alex Smith expressed how the experience has inspired a newfound passion for aquaculture and saltwater studies. Although his academic background was focused on freshwater studies, the professors at UAS helped him bridge the gap and gain a solid foundation in marine aquaculture. The diversity within the cohort, including students from across the U.S. and those studying different fields like tourism, contributed to a rich learning environment where everyone had something to offer.

Overall, the National Student Exchange (NSE) program, particularly through programs like the Alaska Aquaculture Semester, plays a significant role in shaping students’ futures. By offering immersive, hands-on learning experiences and fostering a strong sense of personal and academic growth, NSE supports students in discovering new academic passions, expanding their professional networks, and preparing them for careers after college. Alex Smith’s experience serves as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of the NSE program, and the UCA community congratulates Alex on this outstanding achievement and celebrates his dedication, curiosity, and commitment to global learning.

https://nse.org/exchange/special-programs/727/

The Bear Essentials Food Pantry will be closed from Monday, August 11 through Friday, August 15, to prepare for the Fall semester.

The Pantry will reopen on Monday, August 18, continuing its Summer Hours of 11 am – 4 pm Monday through Thursday.  Fall Semester open hours will begin after the Labor Day Holiday on Tuesday, September 2.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ucabearessentials

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearessentialsfoodpantry/

Email: bearessentials@uca.edu

Submitted by: Lindsey Shurley, losborne@uca.edu on 07/16/2025

Register your RSO for Conway Daze!! Conway Daze is a great opportunity for your student group to showcase all you do to our new first-year students and also upperclassmen looking to get involved.

Conway Daze will be held during Welcome Week on Wednesday, August 20 from 2:00-5:00pm in the Thomas C. Courtway Student Recreation Center (formerly HPER Center). Registration closes July 31!

https://uca.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/677917

Submitted by: Lindsey Shurley, losborne@uca.edu on 07/16/2025

Is your student group looking to earn some volunteer hours and welcome our first-year students to campus?! Sign up to volunteer on LLC Move-In Day! There are several shift options available – sign up now!

LLC Move-In Day will be Sunday, August 17. Registration closes July 31.

https://uca.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/690456

Do you know a student who may be interested in helping at-risk teens through sports? Semi-retired music faculty member Neil Rutman is seeking members and officers for the UCA Men’s Boxing Club, a club that has partnered with Faulkner County Juvenile Court for several years to teach boxing skills, professionalism, and personal responsibility to teens on probation. Because of Prof. Rutman’s retirement from UCA, Honors faculty member Adam Frank has agreed to serve as faculty advisor for the purposes of re-establishing the group. Prof. Rutman will continue as the head boxing coach for the club. We need six members/officers by the beginning of the fall term.

Students may contact Adam at afrank@uca.edu with “Boxing Club” in the subject line.

The Bear Essentials Food Pantry will be closed on Thursday, July 3rd and Friday, July 4th, for the Independence Day Holiday.  We will reopen at 11 am on Monday, July 7th.